Impact of an intrapartum care quality improvement intervention in Brazilian private hospitals on care safety measures and adverse outcomes

Abstract

Plain Language Summary Cesarean section rates in Brazil are among the highest in the world, particularly in private hospitals. In 2015, a quality improvement project was implemented in private hospitals aiming to reduce the cesarean section (CS) rates (the Adequate Childbirth Project—PPA). In the 2017–2018 period, the Healthy Birth Study (HBS) was proposed to assess the effect of the PPA project in CS rates, as well as use of obstetric interventions, adoption of good practices during labor and birth care and outcomes for both women and their babies. This article presents the comparison of 4873 births analyzed in the HBS, 2589 who were exposed to the PPA project and 2284 who received standard care. The analysis aim was to compare CS rates at the same time to assess if women who were part of the PPA intervention were less likely to have a negative event for themselves or their babies. A group of 15 measures of safety of obstetric care and negative outcomes for women and their babies was compared. Women who were exposed to the PPA intervention had a lower chance of CS, late preterm and early term deliveries. At the same time, the PPA group did not have worse outcomes for women or babies. In terms of safety care, the PPA intervention was associated with both positive and negative effects. For instance, women exposed to the PPA group had a higher chance of not receiving antibiotics to prevent infections when they needed, when compared to standard care.

Keywords

• Cesarean section
• Quality improvement
• Obstetrics
• Maternal Health
• Health Services Research
• Evaluation Study